Sparkling sand, holiday cheer and skyscrapers lit up like Christmas trees – Christmas and The Gold Coast go together like hot chips on a sanga, or beach cricket and BBQs!
When it comes to celebrating the spirit of Christmas, the glitter strip shines!
Join the festive fun this December with events popping up all over the GC:
| EVENT | DATE | LOCATION | TIMES |
| Mayor’s Christmas Carols presented by Village Roadshow Theme Parks | Saturday 2 December | HOTA Stage and HOTA Parklands | 4pm to 9pm |
| Christmas in Broadbeach | Saturday 9 December to Sunday 17 December | Broadbeach Mall | 12pm to 4pm &
5.30pm to 8.30pm |
| Cooly Carols | Sunday 10 December
|
Queen Elizabeth Park
|
5.30pm to 7.30pm |
| Coomera Carols | Saturday 16 December
|
Coomera Sports Park
|
4.30pm to 6.30pm |
| Carols on the Beach | Sunday 17 December
|
Surfers Paradise Beach
|
6.00pm to 8.00pm |
The star on top of the festive calendar is the annual Mayor’s Christmas Carols, presented by Village Roadshow Theme Parks and supported by our very own 7NEWS Gold Coast.
It returns to HOTA, Home of the Arts, on Saturday 2nd December.
Headlining the show is…drumroll please…
Aria Hall of Fame icons, Human Nature!
Toby Allen, Phil Burton, and brothers Andrew and Mike Tierney are getting the band back together for Christmas
Phil says “It’s like a reunion every time we get back together, it’s great.
That’s exactly what I love about Christmas, it’s the family aspect. There’s plenty of time to spend swimming or playing cricket out in the front yard, or kids riding their brand new bikes out in the front street. It’s just a really lovely atmosphere. And for me, I have a big extended family, so often there’s 30-40ppl in the one house, just sharing the bbq, seafood and everything like that. It’s a really fun day.”
The beloved band are looking forward to performing Christmas hits and a few original songs to crowds at the HOTA stage and HOTA Parklands.
Supporting Human Nature is home-grown talent Lily Grace. At just 17-years old, this Gold Coast local has already made her mark on the country music industry.
“My dad always calls me a surfing cowgirl.” says Lily, who grew up on Burleigh’s beaches.
Lily has worked with some of the biggest names in the game and is excited to support Aussie legends Human Nature.
“It’s so special to work with some of my idols and to have them know my name is a really special thing. I had my first song with James Blundell, which was this amazing moonshot opportunity, I’m so thankful to him for putting me forward for that. Leigh Kernigan, Vance Joy, all of these amazing Aussie artists that have helped me get to where I am today, which is amazing.”
Lily’s spent the last 8 months in Nashville – writing, recording and performing – but is excited to be home for a Gold Coast Christmas. To her, Christmas is “Prawns, BBQ, beach and the pool. It’s the best way to do it.”
The 2023 Mayor’s Christmas Carols presented by Village Roadshow Theme Parks will also feature performances by the Brisbane City Gospel Choir, Emily-Jade O’Keeffe (from 102.9 Hot Tomato), Bob La Castra, Looney Tunes Christmas Show and of course the star of the evening, Santa!
Limited free tickets are available online for the HOTA Outdoor Stage from Monday 20th November. Don’t despair if you miss out on stage tickets, the HOTA Parklands will be activated, with screens by the lake broadcasting the event live, lots of free family entertainment and a delicious assortment of food trucks. No tickets required for this area, which opens from 4pm.
The event is more than just a singalong – it’s a celebration of community. Families gather with picnics near the lake. Kids can roam the free festive activities at HOTA Parklands.
And as the sun sets over the shimmering coastline, the carols fill the air and the soft glow of Christmas lights warms hearts. The evening concludes with a bang, and some more cheer, as fireworks light the sky.
